Research agenda
Six research fields. One mission horizon.
The proposed agenda concentrates on questions where Scottish science, engineering, data capability and field environments could contribute to international lunar exploration while producing value on Earth.
These are proposed research priorities for consultation. They are not funded programmes, commissioned studies or claims of existing Institute laboratory capability.
Priority fields
A deliberately connected portfolio.
- 01
Lunar science and resources
Geology, polar volatiles, regolith behaviour, sampling, in-situ measurement and the responsible study of potential resources.
- 02
Exploration systems
Robotics, sensing, autonomy, power, thermal control, communications, resilient operations and payload integration.
- 03
Space biology and human performance
Human health, medicines, microbiology, food systems, radiation, isolation and operational performance in extreme environments.
- 04
Cislunar data, timing and autonomy
Navigation, communications, interoperable data, timekeeping, situational awareness and autonomous decision support around the Moon.
- 05
Earth benefit and sustainability
Technology transfer, climate and environmental applications, responsible exploration, life-cycle thinking and societal value.
- 06
Talent and public mission
Education research, inclusive participation, skills pathways, citizen science and how missions earn durable public legitimacy.
Evidence and context
Method
Questions first. Projects second.
Each research theme should begin with a challenge map: the user or mission need, the current evidence, credible comparators, Scottish strengths, missing capabilities, ethics and safety questions, and the conditions under which the work should stop.
Only then should a team choose the right instrument: a literature review, data study, laboratory collaboration, field trial, demonstrator, payload concept or public-participation programme. Independent review belongs before a public claim of readiness, not after it.
The near-term output is a reviewed agenda and bounded studies. Flight hardware, clinical validation, facilities and mission delivery require separate partners, approvals and evidence.
Open questions
The questions worth organising around.
- 01
Where can Scottish geology add value?
Identify which terrestrial environments are scientifically relevant for instrument, rover or operations testing and where analogy breaks down.
- 02
What should be autonomous?
Study decision-making under communications delay, degraded data and uncertain terrain without confusing simulation with mission qualification.
- 03
How do medicines survive exploration?
Define evidence pathways for stability, packaging, delivery and health-system resilience in radiation, constrained logistics and long-duration missions.
- 04
How should lunar time and data interoperate?
Explore technical and governance questions around cislunar positioning, navigation, timing, communications and shared standards.